Cooper King Distillery

Cooper King Distillery was registered in England and Wales in 2016 (Company No. 10135055) by its founders, who had been inspired by Tasmania's vibrant small distillery scene during a period of international travel. Tasmania had developed a disproportionately strong whisky culture relative to its size, producing small-batch, craft-oriented spirits that challenged established conventions — a model the founders sought to replicate in Yorkshire.

The distillery was established in Sutton on the Forest, a village north of York in the Vale of York, surrounded by the agricultural landscape of North Yorkshire. Gin production came first, establishing the brand and cash flow while the whisky stock matured. Single malt English whisky followed, with the distillery releasing Port-Bound expressions from ex-port wine casks as early mature expressions. The sustainability programme — carbon-negative gin, net-zero energy whisky — is a deliberate differentiator in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.

A Founders' Club membership scheme offers exclusive access to special releases and early-access bottlings, building a community of invested supporters around the brand.

Cooper King operates from its North Yorkshire premises using traditional copper pot stills for whisky and cold-distillation for gin. Cold distillation is used for the dry gin range, a technique that preserves delicate volatile botanicals that would be destroyed by heat — contributing to the gin's fresh, aromatic character. Whisky production uses 100% malted barley in small batches. Maturation takes place in a variety of cask types including ex-port wine wood for the Port-Bound expressions. No specific still sizes or annual capacity figures have been publicly disclosed. All electricity used in distilling is renewable; the gin operation has achieved certified carbon-negative status.

Cooper King Single Malt draws on Tasmanian whisky-making influences — a focus on intense, cask-forward character and small-batch approachability — combined with Yorkshire provenance. The Port-Bound expressions use ex-port wine casks to give a rich, wine-influenced character: dark fruit, chocolate, and warming spice alongside the clean English single malt base. The Dry Gin is cold-distilled for aromatic freshness: crisp juniper, floral top notes, and a clean finish. The Skosh Smoked + Spiced Gin adds a smokier, more assertive dimension. The Black Cardamom Vodka is distinctive: an unusual botanical-driven vodka with warming aromatic spice.

Guided distillery tours available at Sutton on the Forest. Home tasting experiences and cocktail hampers can also be booked online. Physical shop on-site. A Founders' Club membership provides exclusive access to special releases. Online shop at cooperkingdistillery.co.uk. Address: Sutton on the Forest, North Yorkshire.